where to see live music and large-scale special events in new jersey?
Check the convenient links to websites below OFTEN for upcoming events. New concerts and shows are continuously added. See listings under Music & Dance and Theatre for smaller event venues offering performances for kids, teens and adults.
Asbury Park Boardwalk
Renowned for live music, Asbury Park is home to Convention Hall and The Paramount Theatre, a historic 1,600 seat theater on the boardwalk (see separate listing below), and legendary clubs including The Stone Pony, Brighton Bar, Wonder Bar, Tim McLoones Supper Club and more, presenting nationally and locally known artists in concert.
The Stone Pony expands its lineup during summer with an outdoor Summer Stage series. For current schedule, visit Stone Pony online or for listings for all venues, visit Asbury Park Boardwalk events.
The Stone Pony & Outdoor Summer Stage
913 Ocean Ave., Asbury Park, 732-502-0600
Summer Stage all ages admitted; must be 21 in bar area. Visit website link for schedule.
BB&T Pavilion
1 Harbour Blvd. (Tnpk. exit 4), Camden, 800-745-3000
Outdoor amphitheater with huge lawn during the summer months converts to a fully enclosed theater in the fall and winter.
Beacon Theatre
2124 Broadway, New York, NY, 866-858-0008
Concerts and a variety of special events are presented in a 2,800-seat landmark building.
Bethel Woods Center for the Arts
200 Hurd Rd., Bethel, NY, 866-781-2922
A diverse selection of popular artists, film, educational and community programs are presented in a 15,000-capacity outdoor performing arts venue and indoor gallery space at the site of the 1969 Woodstock Festival. The museum tells the story of the Sixties and the unique experience of the Woodstock Festival through film, interactive displays, text panels and artifacts.
Boardwalk Hall
2301 Boardwalk, Atlantic City, 609-348-7000
Tickets: 800-736-1420
Seaside arena, originally built in 1929, now seats over 14,000 people and hosts world-class entertainers and national touring productions.
The Bowery Presents
Promotes artists at venues throughout the region as well as at their own venues including Asbury Lanes, Asbury Park, NJ; Starland Ballroom, Sayreville, NJ; NYC's Music Hall of Williamsburg, Terminal 5, Rough Trade NYC, and Brooklyn Steel.
Broadway–On & Off
For tickets, visit Ticketmaster, 800-745-3000; Telecharge; Disney on Broadway online.
See introduction to New York listings for info about Broadway shows and discount tickets. See listings under New York for additional family theater events and concerts.
Cure Insurance Arena
81 Hamilton Ave. at Rt. 129, Trenton, 609-656-3200
Tickets: 800-298-4200
Hosts concerts and special events.
Festival Pier at Penn's Landing
Columbus Blvd. and Spring Garden St., Philadelphia, PA, 215-629-3200
Summer outdoor concert season at Penn's Landing. Low-back folding chairs permitted.
May
Season tickets go on sale.
Jambase.com
Guide to live music, concerts and festivals, nationwide.
Live Nation
From the website of Live Nation, one of the largest producers of live concerts in the world, you can search concerts by artist or venue and purchase tickets.
Madison Square Garden
The Stadium or WaMu Theater at Madison Square Garden,
7th Ave. at 33rd, 866-858-0008. Groups: 212-465-6080.
Check website for new events or Ticketmaster, 800-745-3000.
Winter
New York Rangers and New York Knicks home games.
Meadowlands Exposition Center
355 Plaza Dr., Secaucus, 201-330-7773
William G. Mennen Sports Arena
161 E. Hanover Ave., Morristown, 973-326-7651
Hosts special events and competitions. Spectators are welcome at youth hockey playoffs and championships, open skating competitions and special events.
Mercer County Park Festival Groups
Mercer County Park, West Windor, NJ, 609-443-8560
Summer performing arts stage offers 500-700 reserved seats and approx. 7,000 lawn seats. Call or visit website for summer lineup and to purchase tickets. Food vendors on site; no outside food, beverages or coolers permitted.
Metlife Stadium
One MetLife Stadium Drive, East Rutherford, 201-559-1300
Home to the New York Jets and New York Giants, the 82,500-seat stadium hosts sports, concerts and special events.
New Jersey Convention and Exposition Center
Raritan Center, 97 Sunfield Ave., Edison, 732-417-1400
Visit website link for new events.
New Jersey Performing Arts Center
1 Center St., Newark, NJ, 888-466-5722
Also see Music & Dance and Theatre categories.
Ocean City Music Pier
Moorlyn Terrace & The Boardwalk, Ocean City, 609-525-9300
Historic 1928 concert hall on the boardwalk presents a variety of shows, nationally renowned musicians, the Miss New Jersey pageant and the Ocean City Pops summer concert series from July through October.
Paramount Theatre
1300 Ocean Ave. between Fifth and Sunset, Asbury Park, 732-897-6500
1600-seat historic theater with superior acoustics hosts national and international entertainers. Tickets and complete calendar available through Ticketmaster link.
PNC Bank Arts Center
Parkway exit 116, Holmdel, Box Office: 732-203-2500
Outdoor concert season May-Sept. with seating in open-air pavilion and on lawn. Free heritage festivals and classical performances presented by Garden State Arts Foundation, 732-442-9200.
Prudential Center
25 Lafayette St., Newark, 973-757-6000.
Tickets: 800-745-3000; Ticketmaster.
Open
Grammy Museum Experience, open 11-6 Tues.-Sun.; 11-8 on event days.
Winter
New Jersey Devils hockey and Seton Hall Pirates men's basketball.
Radio City Music Hall
Rockefeller Center, 1260 6th Ave., New York, NY, 866-858-0008.
Groups: 212-465-6100.
Nov-Jan
Christmas Spectacular starring The Radio City Rockettes.
Skylands Stadium
94 Championship Place, Augusta, 973-940-0222
4,200-seat stadium hosts special events, concerts and the Sussex County Miners, CanAm baseball league.
Nov-Dec
Christmas Light Show & Village, mile-long drive-through course and outdoor village.
May-Sep
Sussex County Miners, Can-Am baseball.
St. George Theatre
35 Hyatt St., Staten Island, 718-442-2900
Call box office or Ticketmaster for tickets; 800-745-3000.
Restored 2,800-seat 1929 movie and vaudeville house presents concerts, comedy, Broadway touring companies, small and large scale children's shows, and school-time performances.
SteelStacks
101 Founders Way, Bethlehem, PA, 610-332-1300
Once the home plant of Bethlehem Steel, the ten-acre site is now a hub of music and art offering indoor and outdoor concerts, films, comedy, dance, family events, walking tours, open mic nights and eight different festivals annually. Free and ticketed events.
Nov-Dec
Christkindlmarkt, annual holiday market features more than 150 fine artisans, live Christmas music, Santa, ice carving and glassblowing demonstrations, breakfast with St. Nicholas (additional ticket required). Visit website for schedule of events.
Dec 30-31
PeepsFest, annual two-day New Year’s Eve festival features family-friendly activities and a 4-feet, 9-inches tall, 400-pound lit PEEPS® Chick that descends to commemorate the beginning of the new year. Family entertainment includes kid-friendly bands, magicians, Family Disco Lounge, kids fun run, clowns, balloonmaking and more.
Jun-Sep
Free Summer Concerts, June-Sept. Most at Levitt Pavillion SteelStacks, 645 E. First St., Bethlehem, PA 18015. Visit website for schedule.
Aug
MusikFest, one of the largest and most diverse music festivals in the nation features 500+ shows on 14 stages over 10 days.
Ticketmaster
800-745-3000
One of the largest suppliers of tickets globally to music, sports, arts and theater events consolidates kid-friendly shows in the area on their website under the "Family" heading.
Wells Fargo Center
3601 S. Broad St., Philadelphia, 215-336-3600
Sports and entertainment complex.
Ongoing
Philadelphia Flyers, 76ers, Philadelphia Soul indoor football league, Villanova Basketball and other college sports.
Wellmont Theater
5 Seymour St., Montclair, 800-745-3000
2000-seat concert venue in renovated 1922 theater.
